The one who is [truly] imprisoned is the one whose heart is imprisoned from Allah and the captivated one is the one whose desires have enslaved him.
Ibn TaymiyyahRead
If you do good in secret, Allah will shower His good on you in public.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Doing good deeds discreetly leads to public recognition of those good deeds.
This quote emphasizes the virtue of performing good acts in secrecy rather than for public acknowledgment. It suggests that true goodness comes from altruism, and that genuine intentions will eventually be rewarded, often in ways one may not expect, underscoring the importance of sincerity in one's actions.
Themes
GoodnessAltruismSincerityRewardAction
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker at a charity event could use this quote to inspire generosity among attendees.
More from Ibn Taymiyyah
All quotes βThe sign of the people of bidβah is that they do not follow the salaf.
Ibn TaymiyyahRead
Whatever is not done by the permission of Allah will not happen, and what is not done for the sake of Allah will not benefit or remain.
Ibn TaymiyyahRead
Remembrance is to the heart what water is to the fish. And what is the state of a fish that leaves water?
Ibn TaymiyyahRead
The more humble, needy, and subdued you are before Allah, the closer you will be to Him.
Ibn TaymiyyahRead
Make tawba not just for sins you've committed, but also for obligations you haven't fulfilled.
Ibn TaymiyyahRead
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